Method for processing a multi-channel audio signal for a binaural hearing apparatus and a corresponding hearing apparatus

• US 20090110220A1
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd (WS Audiology A/S)
• Inventors: Kasanmascheff, Robert, Hain, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 8,666,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/309
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/041 Adaptation of stereophonic signal reproduction for the hearing impaired
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2400/01 Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2420/01 Enhancing the perception of the sound image or of the spatial distribution using head related transfer functions [HRTF's] or equivalents thereof, e.g. interaural time difference [ITD] or interaural level difference [ILD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/004 For headphones

Abstract

Wearers of hearing apparatuses and in particular of hearing device systems having two speakers are to be able to enjoy the experience of spatial multi-channel reproduction. Provision is accordingly made to generate a dual-channel audio signal for a binaural hearing apparatus comprising a multi-channel audio signal having at least three individual channels. Accordingly at least one spatial impression-influencing signal level in at least one of the individual channels is changed, and a signal of at least one of the individual channels is connected with signals of the remaining individual channels to the dual-channel audio signal. A corresponding hearing apparatus and in particular a corresponding hearing device have a transformation system that takes over this preprocessing from the multi-channel audio signal to the dual-channel audio signal.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

8. A method for generating a dual-channel audio signal for a binaural hearing apparatus comprising:

providing a multi-channel audio signal having at least three individual channels;

changing at least one spatial impression-influencing signal level in at least one of the individual channels; and

connecting a signal of at least one of the individual channels with signals of the remaining individual channels to the dual-channel audio signal.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the change in the at least one signal level occurs with the aid of a head transmission function, which represents an acoustic transmission function from a specified position in space relative to an ear, taking into consideration a skull.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the changing of the at least one signal level is performed by adaptive filtering, in which the position and orientation of the hearing apparatus wearer in a space is taken into consideration.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the changing of the at least one signal level is performed by adaptive filtering, in which the position or orientation of the hearing apparatus wearer in a space is taken into consideration.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the changed signal level is a statistical signal level.

14. A hearing apparatus, comprising:

two speakers for binaural supply; and

a transformation system for generating a dual-channel audio signal for both speakers from a multi-channel audio signal having at least three individual channels,

wherein at least one spatial impression-influencing signal level is changed in at least one of the individual channels, and

wherein a signal of at least one of the individual channels is connected with signals of the remaining individual channels to the dual-channel audio signal.

15. The hearing apparatus as claimed in claim 14,

wherein the hearing apparatus is worn on the head, and

wherein the transformation system is integrated in the hearing apparatus.

16. The hearing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the transformation system is physically separate from the hearing apparatus and transmits the dual-channel audio signal wirelessly to the hearing apparatus.